Things to Do in Cowplain — The Local Guide
From Queen's Inclosure woodland walks and London Road cafes to Queen Elizabeth Country Park and the Waterlooville Precinct — your guide to getting the most out of Cowplain.
Cowplain is a suburban village in Havant Borough, Hampshire, sitting on the A3 (London Road) between Waterlooville and Horndean. It has around 15,000–18,000 residents and a strong local identity. If you know where to look, there is plenty to keep you busy — here is the local guide.
Queen's Inclosure Ancient Woodland
The standout natural asset in Cowplain is Queen's Inclosure, a pocket of ancient woodland on the eastern edge of the village. This is a remnant of the old Forest of Bere — once a royal hunting forest across south Hampshire — and it has the quiet, enclosed feel of proper old English woodland: predominantly oak and birch, with well-worn footpaths and bridleways weaving through the trees.
The Inclosure is free to access and open all year. Dog walkers and joggers use it daily; at weekends you will find families with pushchairs, mountain bikers, and the occasional forager. In spring the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells. In autumn, look out for fungi. Access is from Durley Avenue on the Cowplain side.
London Road — Shopping, Cafes, and Pubs
The main strip through Cowplain is London Road, and while it is not a destination high street, it has everything you need for a village centre. There is a Co-op, a Tesco Express, several takeaways, a handful of independent shops, and a couple of solid local pubs.
The White Hart and The Red Lion are both London Road institutions, and both are worth a visit if you are after a quiet pint and reliable pub food. Sunday lunch at either is a regular fixture for Cowplain families. There are also a few cafes along the road for a mid-morning coffee if you are passing through.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park (5 miles north)
One of the best day trips from Cowplain is Queen Elizabeth Country Park, just five miles up the A3 towards Petersfield. The park covers 1,400 acres of chalk downland and ancient woodland in the South Downs National Park, and it is genuinely spectacular — particularly on a clear day when the views across Hampshire open up from the higher ridgelines.
There are walking trails for all abilities, a dedicated mountain bike trail, a cafe, and a visitor centre. Bring the dog, bring a picnic, and allow at least half a day. It is also one of the best places in Hampshire for kite flying, stargazing, and just getting some altitude after the flatness of the coastal plain.
Waterlooville Precinct (2 miles south)
Waterlooville town centre is about a ten-minute drive or a short bus ride south on the 23 or X4 routes. The pedestrianised precinct has a Boots, a Wilko, various clothes and homeware shops, and several chain cafes. It is not glamorous, but it is practical and the nearest place for anything you cannot find on London Road.
The retail park on the eastern edge of Waterlooville is also worth knowing about — there is a large Asda, a Next, a B&M, and a few other big-box retailers that are useful for furniture, hardware, and larger shopping.
Walking Routes
Beyond Queen's Inclosure, Cowplain has good access to the wider Hampshire footpath network. The rights of way north towards Horndean and Lovedean pass through farmland and open countryside, and within twenty minutes on foot from the village you can be in genuinely rural Hampshire. Pick up a local OS Explorer map (OL3 or Sheet 120) for the full network.
The Forest of Bere, stretching north from Queen's Inclosure, provides further woodland walking, and the waymarked trails connect through to Denmead and beyond.